Editorial

Published: June 4, 2003 8:00 PM

Anyone who has played the game of basketball on a cracked and uneven driveway behind the house or out by the barn would be amazed by the new surface on the outdoor courts at Cambridge City Park.

The basketball courts are now covered with a material created by shredding and melting recycled tires.

The Courts as they were christened are replete with a huge blue feline paw print, the logo of the Cambridge High School Bobcats.

According to city officials, the new playing surface has a life expectancy of seven to 10 years. To the materials credit, it can be patched piecemeal when spots go bad or wear prematurely, as can be expected of basketball courts.

This resurfacing project was an expensive proposition. According to city officials, it cost about $78,000. Half of that comes from a state NatureWorks grant, the other half from the city. Riesbecks Food Markets and Pepsi each anted up $5,000, bringing the taxpayers tab to $29,000. That money will come out of the municipal park fund.

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The paint on the Bobcats logo at The Courts wasnt even dry yet when this newspaper started hearing resentments from folks involved in other park activities, including youth baseball and football.

Everyone wants to make sure funding for their favorite City Park activity doesnt go by the wayside in favor of, say, basketball.

Thats the tightrope city officials must walk as they attempt to balance the interests and meet the needs of everyone who uses and owns our wonderful park.